The PDV6000 is the world’s first portable heavy metal analyser that can, in as little time as 30 seconds, identify and quantify environmentally important heavy metals in water and soil samples with detection limits as low as 1 ppb. The PDV6000 uses the well proven Anodic Stripping Voltammetry technique, which means it does not need radiation sources, expensive inflammable gases or fragile lamps to work.
Using easy-to-use standards and reagents as well as soil extraction kits. Real-time screening analysis of soil or ground water samples is possible by any on-site technician. In addition PDV6000 can be used to analyse sea water samples, as salt has no effect on the analysis, and food samples after performing a very short and simple extraction procedure.
A US Environmental Technology Verification Program demonstration showed that a non technical user trained for only one hour could use the PDV6000 to analyse up to 80 samples in one day, including sample preparation. The results showed excellent correlation with the accepted laboratory reference method.
The PDV6000 is more sensitive than laboratory instruments that cost five or ten times as much. The complete system however, operates on a rechargeable battery, weighs less than 5Kg and is supplied in a small 30 x 23 x 15cm water tight carry case.
The PDV6000 has an integral LCD display and rechargeable battery pack and can operate as stand-alone instrument or plugged into a laptop/PC computer running its specially configured VAS software. VAS is used to provide multiple metal analysis, more sophisticated analytical techniques such as standard addition analysis and blank subtraction. It gives the user a comprehensive display of generated peaks that can be manually adjusted to provide even lower detection limits. VAS also lists sample results that can be exported into any spreadsheet or work processing package. It archives data and allows easy unloading of new analytical methods into the PDV6000. VAS software is supplied with every PDV6000.
The PDV6000 has a low cost of ownership and no maintenance. One set of electrodes lasts for several thousands of measurements. Each analysis costs typically 0.5 Euros when used with the MTI supplied reagents. Fast and easy firmware upgrades means the PDV6000 will always be up to date and able to take advantage of new analytical methods as they become available.
All the above features allow the PDV6000 to become a highly credible and a much lower cost alternative to conventional heavy metal analysis both in the laboratory and in the field.
Metals detected
Methods for A, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn in various matrixes are validated. Additional methods are available for other metals. One major advantage of the ASV technique is that it can identify the oxidation state of certain metals. Methods for Arsenic 5 and Arsenic 3 are available and a method specific for Chrome 6 will be available soon.
